In this closely contested match, the Kashima Antlers emerged victorious with a narrow 2-1 win against Albirex Niigata. The match's pace was set early, with Kashima scoring just under four minutes into the first half. This early goal by Kashima pressured Albirex to respond quickly, which they did, equalizing the scoreline around the 16th-minute mark. Despite this response, Kashima’s ability to break through again in the second half was central to their victory, with their winning goal scored at the 87th minute.

Statistical analysis reveals that Kashima's effective use of corner kicks contributed to their success, outpacing Albirex with 8 corners to 4. This advantage in set-pieces provided Kashima additional opportunities to pressure Albirex’s defense. Shooting accuracy and execution were other critical aspects, as both teams had shots on target, but Kashima converted their chances more effectively. Despite similar fouling records with Kashima committing just two more fouls, their intensity in creating scoring opportunities through set-pieces was evident.

The discipline of both teams also factored into the match's dynamics, with both receiving yellow cards. Interestingly, the four-minute span where Kashima received both their yellow cards did not significantly disrupt their momentum. Albirex, with only one yellow card, maintained a relatively clean record but could not capitalize on Kashima’s moment of vulnerability. Kashima’s resilience and strategic edge in exploiting corner kicks underscored their win, despite Albirex’s commendable performance and early ability to level the score.

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